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Combined Degree and Physician Scholar Programs
MD/Master of Public Health
Overview
The MD/Master of Public Health (MD/MPH) program is designed for Perelman medical students interested in studying medicine with a special focus on population health problems. The goal of the program is to provide strong interdisciplinary training to individuals interested in clinical practice, prevention, hygiene, education and policy making. The information on this website describes the admissions process, curriculum, advising, and tuition policy for the MD/MPH program.
Please note that these guidelines apply only to Perelman medical students. If you are a medical student at another institution, you may apply for the MPH program directly, but the admissions, curriculum and financial information listed here will not apply. Medical students from other institutions will typically need two years of full time study to complete the MPH program, and will be asked to provide verification that their Medical School has granted a two year leave of absence to complete the program.
The rest of this site includes the following sections:
- Information Gathering
- Advising
- Curriculum & Program Structure
- Financial Information
- Admissions
- Contacts
- Frequently Asked Questions
Information Gathering
The first step of the process is to gather information regarding the MD/MPH dual degree. Interested students have several resources:
- MPH website (http://www.publichealth.med.upenn.edu) - the Master of Public Health program website provides detailed information on the program and application process.
- Center for Public Health Initiatives website (http://www.cphi.upenn.edu/index.shtml) - this website provides information on the Center, including free seminar series that medical students are welcome to attend.
- MD/MPH Information Session - every fall the Combined Degree office holds an MD/MPH Information Session for medical students. Email announcements are sent out to students prior to the event. Check out the Powerpoint presentation that was given at our 2011 Information Session.
- Jackie McLaughlin - candidates are encouraged to contact Jackie, Associate Director MPH Program, at jmclaugh@mail.med.upenn.edu to discuss the Master of Public Health program.
- Amy Nothelfer - students are encouraged to contact Amy, Coordinator of MD-Masters Programs, at nothelfe@mail.med.upenn.edu to discuss their interest in a Masters program.
- Perelman SOM Office of Admissions and Financial Aid - As soon as a student is considering the pursuit of an integrated dual degree program, financial aid counseling and planning is strongly advised.
Perelman medical students interested in the MPH program are encouraged to take PUBH 500 Introduction to Public Health or PUBH 519 Issues in Global Health in the Fall of their first or second year of Medical School. Students will need to take the course with a grade (i.e. not pass/fail) for it to count toward the MD/MPH.
Advising
Perelman medical students who are interested in applying for the MD/MPH program are encouraged to contact Jackie McLaughlin the MPH Associate Director. She can refer you to members of the MD/MPH Advisory Committee, such as Giang Nguyen, MD, MPH (Chair, MD/MPH Advisory Committee) who are available to provide the following: 1) career guidance to students who are interested in public health issues but are undecided about the MPH program and 2) advice and counseling to students enrolled in the program.
Once a student is accepted into the MD/MPH program, the student will meet with the Associate Director, Jackie McLaughlin, to develop a curriculum plan. Additional student advising will be given by members of the MD/MPH committee who are available to provide career guidance, advice and counseling to students.
After a curriculum plan is developed, the student must meet with Helene Weinberg in the Registrar’s Office of the Medical School to discuss the plan and seek approval from the Medical School.
Students are strongly encouraged to meet with a staff member in the Perelman SOM Office of Admissions and Financial Aid to discuss financial issues. (See tuition policy below.)
Curriculum & Program Structure
Program Requirements:
The following course units are required for the MPH degree :
- 10 required core course units (includes 2 cus for Capstone seminar and 1 MD curriculum transfer credit)
- 4 Electives
Required Course Units: 14
Students can choose to focus their electives in global health, environmental health or other areas.
Timing:
Completion of the two degrees separately would require six years, but the MD/MPH can be completed in five years as long as students apply for admission by June 30th at the end of their third year of the MD program and gain acceptance to the joint program. Students are enrolled in the MD program full time for the first three years and in MPH course work full time during year 4 and the fall of year 5. The final semester of the five year program is spent primarily in the MD program. The sample plans of study below are meant to provide details about the timing of MPH course work for those who are already familiar with the Perelman School of Medicine curriculum. The MPH plan of study will be individualized for each student.
MD/MPH Degree Completion Time: 5 Years (with careful planning)
MD/MPH Sample Study Plan:
The following plan of study is a typical timeline and course sequence for Perelman medical students who have completed PUBH 500 plus an additional PUBH elective prior to year 4. Students interested in the MPH program are encouraged to take PUBH 500 Introduction to Public Health or PUBH 519 Issues in Global Health in the Fall of their first or second year of Medical School. Students will need to take the course with a grade (i.e. not pass/fail) for it to count toward the MD/MPH. Note: The MPH program accepts MOD320 Health Care Systems as 1.0 cu transfer credit toward the MPH. A Bridging the Gaps experience may be accepted as an MPH elective.
In following this template, students will complete most required core MPH courses within the first 2 semesters of year 4. The first Capstone seminar (PUBH 508) is taken in the Spring term to plan the Capstone project. Students may conduct the Capstone project over the summer term and complete the second Capstone seminar with (PUBH 508) in Fall of year 5.
Year |
FALL |
SPRING |
SUMMER |
1 |
MD curriculum (Modules 1, 3, 6) |
MD curriculum (Modules 2, 3,6) MOD320 Health Care Systems** |
MPH Elective (1): Bridging the Gaps*** |
2 |
MD curriculum (Modules 2, 3, 6) |
MD curriculum (Modules 4, 6) |
MD curriculum (Modules 4, 6) |
3 |
MD curriculum (Modules 4, 6) |
MD curriculum (Module 5) |
MD curriculum (Module 5) |
4 |
PUBH501: Introduction to Biostatistics |
PUBH502: Introduction to Principles and Methods of Epidemiology |
PUBH electives may be taken during the summer term |
5 |
PUBH507: Law, Ethics and Policy |
MD curriculum (Mod 5) |
*PUBH 500: Introduction to Public Health may be taken in the Fall of year 1 or year 2. This course may be helpful for those students who are undecided about the MPH or who are confident of their interest and eager to begin the MPH. Students who do not take PUBH 500 prior to year 4 will be required to take this course in the first term of the MPH studies to fulfill the 14 cu’s required for the MPH.
**MOD320 Health Care Systems is counted as 1.0 cu transfer credit applied to the MPH degree in place of PUBH 505.
***The Bridging the Gaps Community Health Internship may qualify as an MPH elective. Perelman medical students should discuss a BTG experience or any elective options with a member of the MD/MPH advisory committee in advance. Students who do not have an MPH approved elective to carry forward into the MPH program in year 4 would enroll in an additional elective during Fall term year 5 to fulfill the 14 cu’s required for the MPH.
2.0 course units of Capstone Seminar are required to fulfill the degree requirements. The Capstone seminars are only offered in Fall and Spring terms.
Medical School Planning:
There are several things to keep in mind when making your Medical School plans:
- The MPH degree counts as your Scholarly Pursuit requirement. See: http://www.med.upenn.edu/student/scholarlystudy/.
- MD/MPH students need to complete 1 week of Bioethics, since the degree fulfills the 3 week Frontiers requirement See: http://www.med.upenn.edu/student/frontiers/.
Financial Information (2011-12)
Tuition policy:
Tuition cost for the combined MD/MPH program is less than the total tuition cost would be if the two degrees were earned separately in stand alone programs over six consecutive years.
Perelman medical students in the program will be billed at the MD tuition rate for the first three years in the program. In their fourth year, students will be billed for MPH tuition (for Fall, Spring and Summer semesters). The MPH tuition is based on the total number of course units in which a student is enrolled. Year 5 billing will be split between the MPH tuition rate per course unit (cu) in the Fall term and the MD tuition rate in the Spring. This fee schedule has been designed to benefit students who are pursuing the MD/MPH simultaneously. These tuition fee distributions and information about maximum Stafford loan eligibility are outlined in the following table.
Year |
Tuition |
Maximum Stafford Eligibility |
1 |
MD Tuition Fall & Spring |
$40,500 |
2 |
MD Tuition Fall & Spring |
$40,500 |
3 |
MD Tuition Fall & Spring |
$40,500 |
4 |
MPH Tuition Fall, Spring & Summer | $33,000 |
5 |
MPH Tuition Fall |
Fall: $16,500 |
Financial Aid:
As soon as a Perelman medical student is considering the pursuit of an integrated dual degree program, financial aid counseling and planning is strongly advised. Students should contact Jean Fox at the Perelman SOM Office of Admissions and Financial Aid. She is available to help explain program costs, the financial aid process, funding options and how to apply for financial aid. Here are some things to consider:
1. When paying medical school tuition and registered as a medical student, an individual can retain his/her Perelman School of Medicine Scholarship and has a Stafford eligibility of $40,500. When a student is registered as a full time MPH student, he/she is not eligible for a Perelman School of Medicine Scholarship and has a Stafford eligibility of $33,000. In accordance with federal regulations, all sources of aid (loan, scholarships, fellowships,) cannot exceed the student budget.
2. Stafford loans have aggregate limits, which are cumulative and include any undergraduate, graduate, and medical school loans borrowed in the Direct/Stafford loan program. For any semester when a student is a full-time MPH or a full-time MD student, the program aggregate limit is $224,000.
3. There are a number of private loan programs which are available for students in meeting program costs if necessary. These funds are credit based and more costly. The Perelman SOM Office of Admissions and Financial Aid lists preferred private loan lenders on its website.
Students who anticipate applying for a private loan are encouraged to contact the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid to discuss options and determine the best program based on individual circumstances and prior borrowing.
Costs for each of the programs are updated annually on the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid website. Please note that policies concerning curriculum and financial aid are subject to change. Additionally, though variations in the curriculum may be possible, any changes will need prior approval and may have financial implications.
Scholarships:
The Center for Public Health Initiatives has a new Penn Global Public Health Scholarship available on a competitive basis. The process for applying for funds will be made available to students once they have matriculated into the MD/MPH program. Contact Jackie McLaughlin (jmclaugh@mail.med.upenn.edu) for more information.
Admissions
The admissions process for the MD/MPH program is competitive and requires admission to both the MD and MPH programs. Typically, students will apply to the MPH program for the MD/MPH after matriculation into the MD program. A Perelman medical student may apply during his/her first, second or third year.
There are two steps to applying:
1) Apply to the Master of Public Health Program
The Master of Public Health program information and application can be obtained at http://www.publichealth.med.upenn.edu. Students are encouraged to contact Jackie McLaughlin ( jmclaugh@mail.med.upenn.edu) for more information.
2) Submit Master's Program Registration Form to the Combined Degree Office
In addition to submitting an MPH application, Perelman medical students must also submit a Master's Program Registration Form to Amy Nothelfer (nothelfe@mail.med.upenn.edu) in the Combined Degree and Physician Scholar Programs Office (104 Stemmler Hall).
Application Deadline: April 30 of third year
Disclaimer
Please note that policies concerning admissions, curriculum, funding and financial aid are subject to change. Additionally, though variations in the curriculum may be possible, any changes will need prior approval and may have financial implications. This website is meant to provide preliminary general overview information only. Students interested in or enrolled in the program should seek personal advising from relevant faculty and staff.
Contacts
For more information about the MD/MPH program, contact:
Jackie McLaughlin, M.S., R.D.
Associate Director, MPH Program
(215) 746-2043
(215) 573-9025 fax
jmclaugh@mail.med.upenn.edu
Giang Nguyen, M.D., M.P.H.
Chair, MD/MPH Advisory Committee
Assistant Professor , Perelman School of Medicine,
Dept of Family Medicine and Community Health
giang.nguyen@uphs.upenn.edu
Amy Nothelfer, LSW
Coordinator for MD-Masters Programs
Combined Degree and Physician Scholar Programs Office
Suite 100 Annex (Room 104) Stemmler Hall
Philadelphia , PA 19104-6087
(215) 746-2359
nothelfe@mail.med.upenn.edu
Helene Weinberg
Registrar
University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine
Suite 100 Stemmler Hall
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6087
(215) 898-4646
hweinber@mail.med.upenn.edu
Jean Fox
Financial Aid Officer
Office of Admissions and Financial Aid
Suite 100 Stemmler Hall
Philadelphia , PA 19104-6056
(215) 898-9118
jmfox@mail.med.upenn.edu
Frequently Asked Questions
Program
Should I take PUBH 500: Introduction to Public Health or PUBH 519: Issues in Global Health first? Are there advantages/disadvantages to taking one before the other?
You are free to take either Introduction to Public Health or Issues in Global Health in the Fall semester. There is no “right way” to sequence the courses. Clearly, if you are interested in pursuing an MPH degree with global health focus you will want to take both courses, but rest assured that the order does not matter.
Can I take PUBH 500 or PUBH 519 pass/fail and still get academic credit if I choose to pursue the MPH degree?
No. Only courses taken for a letter grade may be applied to the MPH degree.
Can I do an international capstone experience?
Yes. It is definitely possible to do an international capstone experience. Several MPH students have completed international work for their capstone experience, and MPH program advisors can give you more information about planning for this.
How many courses can I take prior to being in the MPH program?
Three. Students can take up to 3 MPH courses without being in the MPH program.
Certificates
Is it possible to do a Certificate in Public Health?
Yes. The MPH program offers a Certificate in Public Health Studies. For more information, visit: http://www.publichealth.med.upenn.edu/CertificatePrograminPublicHealthStudies.shtml
Is it possible to do a Global Health Certificate?
Yes. The Global Health Programs Office offers a Global Health Certificate. For more information, visit: http://www.med.upenn.edu/globalhealth/Certificates.shtml
Can I take PUBH 519 pass/fail and still get academic credit if I choose to pursue the Global Health Certificate?
Yes. Issues in Global Health (PUBH 519) may be taken as pass/fail and this has no bearing on your ability to complete the requirements for the Global Health certificate. However, if you later decide to pursue the MPH degree, you will not get academic credit for this course if you took it as pass/fail. Only courses taken for a letter grade may be applied to the MPH degree.
Should I pursue the global health certificate or the MPH degree?
If you are not certain about pursuing an MPH degree at this point in time but you are definitely interested in obtaining a certificate in Global Health, you should pursue the Global Health certificate first. It is likely that coursework and field work for the certificate program will be transferable to the MPH program. You should review the details of this plan with the MPH Associate Director.
MPH
Do I really need to get an MPH degree to do work in public health?
While it is true that in the past, many people worked in the public health arena without an MPH degree, it is now being recognized as providing an important set of core competencies that better prepare one to assume responsibility for working on health issues from a population perspective.